Jews Conceal Kippah with Baseball Caps After Golders Green Attack

I bought a baseball cap to hide – “I bought a baseball cap to hide my kippah,” says Derek, a London resident who has taken a new approach to public appearances. For the first time in his life, he now wears a baseball cap to conceal his Jewish skullcap, a kippah, out of fear following the recent Golders Green attack. “I’ve never worn one before, but the underground is now a place where I must stay discreet,” he explains, though he chose to withhold his full name. This shift reflects a growing sense of vigilance among Jewish communities in Britain as they navigate a transformed Shabbat experience.

Shabbat Traditions Amid Rising Anxiety

While Shabbat rituals remain largely unchanged—candles are still lit, Friday night meals are shared, and synagogues remain filled with worshippers—the atmosphere is noticeably different. Derek’s decision to mask his identity with a baseball cap underscores a broader trend of caution. “It’s not just about hiding my identity; it’s about ensuring my safety in a place where the threat feels immediate,” he notes. This fear has led many to alter their routines, from skipping communal prayers to praying at home.

Adam Wagner, a human rights lawyer, has also adjusted his habits. Known for championing religious freedoms, Wagner hesitated before visiting a kosher bakery to buy challah, the braided bread central to Shabbat preparations. “The thought of being in a Jewish space this week fills me with apprehension,” he admits. Even his child has encouraged this change, suggesting he promise not to wear the kippah. “I still haven’t made up my mind,” Wagner says. “I want to keep the tradition alive, but I’m also thinking about how to stay safe.”

Community Vigilance and Security Measures

Jonathan Romain, former rabbi of Maidenhead synagogue, now stands outside the building every Shabbat morning, vigilant and on guard. “After years of leading services inside, I feel a sense of duty to protect the community,” he explains. “The fear is real, and I worry about copycat attacks.” His presence highlights the increased security measures that have become a normal part of Jewish life since the Golders Green incident. “The walls are high, and the guards are professional,” Derek adds, describing his synagogue as feeling like a prison.

Yesterday’s attack in Golders Green, classified as a terrorist act by police, left two Jewish men seriously injured. Essa Suleiman, 45, was charged with attempted murder after targeting a Jewish site. The incident has intensified fears of antisemitic violence, with recent months marked by a series of assaults on Jewish locations. In addition to the Golders Green stabbings, an arson attack on ambulances in the same area further illustrates the vulnerability of the community.

For some, the fear has grown so pervasive that they are reconsidering their participation in religious activities. Ben, a lawyer from north London, shares his concerns. “Ideally, we’d take our baby to shul,” he says, referring to the synagogue. “But since the Yom Kippur attack in Manchester last year, we’ve been terrified of exposing him.” This trauma, combined with the Golders Green attack, has led Ben to a life-changing decision. “We’ve decided to move to Israel,” he reveals. “The constant threat has made us question whether we can continue living safely in the UK.”

Ben’s experience is not unique. The Golders Green attack has triggered widespread anxiety, with many Jews describing the silence around them as “deafening.” “The community feels like it’s under siege,” he adds. “My own personal experience, combined with the Manchester attack, has made me realize how much our way of life is being disrupted.” Others have found themselves altering routines, from skipping synagogue to maintaining a more discreet presence in public spaces.

Despite the fear, some Jews remain committed to their traditions. Derek plans to attend synagogue as usual, even though it feels like a prison now. “It’s not the same as before, but I can’t let the fear stop me,” he says. Wagner, too, is determined to participate, though the experience will be marked by heightened awareness. “I’ll be behind barriers and under armed protection,” he notes. “The traditions endure, but the way we observe them has changed.”